Jennifer Hayward Consulting Homepage - Jennifer Hayward

Story Coaching

Whether you’re a prospective author looking to turn your story into a compelling, marketable manuscript that will catch an editor or agent’s attention, or a seasoned writer in need of a motivating force to help you through your current WIP, I am here for you.

We’ll meet for an initial strategy session and develop a plan to help you get where you need to go. After that, we’ll have weekly, one-hour status meetings to keep you on track, brainstorm your next scenes, work through any road blocks you’ve encountered or simply to chat through the story. Throughout the week, I will be available for email brainstorms and discussions, as well as to read and provide feedback on your current pages. Or simply to provide moral support if you need it.

I know from experience getting from page one to ‘the end’ is not easy. It is an act of faith in yourself and your story. I will help you keep the faith.

Paradoxically, the writing often gets harder the further a writer’s career progresses. You’re reaching for fresh, new storylines. Trying to meet stringent deadlines. Suffering, perhaps, from the writer’s block and burnout many of us experience.

I can be that sounding board to bounce ideas off of, someone who can offer creative input and new perspectives on your work, someone who can help unstick you, instead of you wasting days and sometimes even weeks of work staying stuck in the same place. Or even, as one of my writer friends once put it, to ‘drag you kicking and screaming through the book’.

How Story Coaching can help:

  • Reader feedback – a CP for hire, who offers quick, insightful feedback on your current pages
  • An objective opinion when you’re having second thoughts about your writing or ideas
  • Added accountability to achieve your goals
  • Objective, professional feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of your story, as well as creative suggestions and advice
  • Feedback on the quality of your writing, the believability of your characters and their actions and the construction of your story - (PS: your characters can do anything if you motivate them correctly!)

How it Works:

  • The minimum length of a coaching session is 4 weeks (so that I can plan my schedule) The cost is USD $400 and payable through PayPal, with a deposit of USD $200 due in advance of the start of the first scheduled session.
  • Coaching sessions include: weekly, one-hour status meetings, weekday email availability (I aim for a 24-hour turnaround), and prompt feedback on your current pages
  • A summary of our chat is emailed to you following our session
  • The read through of your material is simply to orient me with your story. This does not include a developmental edit. If you would like comprehensive, page-by-page feedback, please refer to my Developmental Editing services.
  • Coaching programs can be tailored to your individual needs. Please email me and we’ll discuss.
  • I will never divulge or discuss your creative ideas or work with anyone else.

Not sure if coaching is for you?

Contact me to arrange a free, 15-minute call to see if I’m the right fit for you. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have.

Contact Me
Tara Pammi
Harlequin Presents
author of
An Innocent to Tame the Italian
Jennifer Hayward is the queen of the black moment. Our brainstorm sessions help me dig deep into the characters and find the most powerful, satisfying conclusion to my story.”
I've always admired Jennifer's talent as an author, and reading one of her novels is like a mini writing course. She nails characterization, pacing, and plot development, and she crafts sparkling dialogue like the writing guru she is. With Jennifer in my writing corner, I was able to ensure my story was the best it could be. She helped me see the forest through the trees, patiently pointing out weaknesses, inconsistencies, and areas where I could make my story stronger. Now I have four published novels to my credit, and I'm working on a fifth with a goal of selling it to Harlequin.”
Lisa Weaver
Author of
The Billionaire's Bodyguard Bride
Kat Cantrell
USA Today
Bestselling Author of
The SEALS of Superstition Springs
“Jen is my longest running sounding board and I would be lost without her! She is always there on the other side of my computer screen or phone line to talk through plot points and brainstorm with me when I'm stuck. When I was writing From Enemies to Expecting, I needed a unique way to get my cosmetic industry marketing executive and my billionaire baseball team owner together and boy did Jen deliver. (the lemonade stand scene is still one of my favorites) I can't think of someone better suited to coach a writer to The End--and beyond!”